Law 531

Gansz V. Alton Haunted House
University of Phoenix
LAW 531
November 18, 2013

Ganz v. Alton Haunted House
The case of Gansz V. Alton Haunted House originated when a girl tripped while running from an individual with a loud motor driven chainsaw at a haunted house in Alton, Illinois on October 29, 2011 (Faces of Lawsuit Abuse, 2013).   The girl’s father, Terry Gansz, claims the haunted house tour included a section where patrons were directed through a passage leading to a ramp with an entry to the rear of the haunted bus.   American Legion is being blamed for the design of the haunted house making it difficult for patrons to exit the attraction (Madison Record, 2013).   Arguing that the plaintiff voluntarily assumed the risks of the haunted house, the defendants claim they are not at fault and should not be liable for any injuries claimed (Madison Record, 2013).
Issue: Has negligence been demonstrated?
 

Rule
According to Cheeseman (2013), negligence is a "A doctrine that says a person is liable for harm that is the foreseeable consequence of his or her actions" (p.91). The elements of negligence include:
 
Duty of Care
Breach of Duty
Harm
Legal Causation
 
The case of Gansz versus Alton Haunted House exemplifies the foundation of the fault principle. Terry Gansz the father of a young girl who was injured when she tripped over a ramp at the Haunted House alleges that there was failure to ensure the safety of the patrons who visited the haunted house. Alton Haunted House had a duty to exercise reasonable care for those who would visit the haunted house. The unforeseen danger of the participants were not averted and the injuries suffered by the young girl is the fault of Alton Haunted House.  Alton Haunted House believes the young girls harm was the result of her own negligence. It was not the duty of the young girl to research beforehand the possible dangers of the haunted house.

Analysis
In our analysis of the case...